First South Lake Tahoe baby of the year born on January 1

When the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Day, Rogelio Castañeda and a very pregnant Margarita García gave a New Year’s toast with a glass of champagne and a glass of apple cider, respectively. Three hours later, after a brief slumber, Margarita woke up in labor.

The couple headed to Barton Family Birthing Center and at 6:36 p.m. on January 1, Jeremy Nicolas Castañeda García was born. Jeremy weighed seven pounds, eleven ounces and was 20.5 inches long. He was named after Margarita’s mother Geremia, who passed away when Margarita was young.

Jeremy is the couple’s first child and the first baby born at Barton Family Birthing Center in 2016. Rogelio, who works at the Chart House, has lived in South Lake Tahoe for fourteen years and Margarita has lived in South Lake Tahoe for seven years. The South Lake Tahoe couple met seven years ago while she was working at Push Fitness, now called Fitness Evolution, and Rogelio was a member of the same gym.

According to Margarita and Rogelio, Jeremy was born one week earlier than expected. Board-certified OB-GYN Amanda Weavil, MD delivered the baby. Margarita described her labor as “long,” but that Dr. Weavil was “very nice and very sweet.”

To honor the first baby born at Barton Memorial Hospital in 2016, Margarita and Rogelio were surprised with a wagon and toddler sled filled with gifts. This year, local businesses and organizations donated baby items and gift certificates totaling nearly $1,800.

Margarita remembered seeing Barton’s first babies posted on the wall when she toured the Family Birthing Center. She knew her son could be one of those babies, he was due on January 7, but did not expect such a fanfare. Both Margarita and Rogelio said “a big thank you to all” who provided gifts for their new family.

South Tahoe Now has given the family two weeks of an ad to celebrate Jeremy's birth.